'You let the big companies run with it, they'll put you out of business'
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COTTAGE GROVE, Ore. - It's the last holiday season for a downtown Cottage Grove business as the owner of Farmhand Feed and Home Company is calling it quits.
The height of the holiday shopping season is here and Mary Koepfle is pumped.
"I love santas. Santas are very happy little guys," said Koepfle as she checks her Christmas merchandise.
However, as most stores are gearing up, Koepfle is winding down. After 12 years in business, Farmhand Feed and Home Company is shutting down.
"The uniqueness of the store, I'm proud of that," explained Koepfle.
She has nothing against competition, as long as it's fair.
Koepfle said that a local Walmart store has been anything but fair.
"Walmart aims guns at other businesses heads and I don't care for that," Koepfle said. "If you let the big companies run with it, they'll put you out of business."
She claims that the big box store has tried to put her out of business by undercutting her prices.
Koepfle said another reason for her going out of business is the location she is in. She told KVAL News that her neighborhood is taking a turn for the worst.
There is more graffiti around the downtown area. She also said that more and more homes being purchased on speculation and rented to people who, as Koepfle put it, don't know how to be a good neighbor.
Customers visiting the store said that they'll miss the friendly banter, the Christmas decorations, and Smokey Joe -- the resident parrot.
Customer Rosemary Fields visits from northern California each December and says she'll miss the shop.
"I come here, to my granddaughters house. She lives here and we always come down ... I never leave without buying something." said Fields.
Though her customers will miss her greatly, Mary said that she'll be just fine
"I'm not going to cry because I'm late for my next adventure, so follow me there." said Koepfle.
The last day of business for Farmhand Feed will be December 22. Mary will be moving to the Portland area and look for opportunities in the antiques field.
Yeah not buying the whole Warmart put me out of business line. Cottage Grove is close to major shopping,has been for eons,Walmart is 10-15 years old there? I certainly understand the need to make a profit,but some of these small businesses are just out of this world when it comes to pricing on the same items you can get at these larger stores. Fred Meyer for example,a "local" company,now owned by a huge national chain,therefor can get bulk discounts hasn't lowered their prices,they remain one of the pricey stores,and yes the quality is better slightly,but food wise they are pretty bad. Times are tough,people are going to go where they can save some money. Walmart is to easy to blame,and don't take that as my endorsing Walmart or it's poor business practices,but it's all about staying competitive. I believe there is,or was an Albertson's in CG,and I'm certain the prices at the CG store are higher than a Albertson's in Eugene/Springfield,the people of CG get gouged because of the location. I grew up in Elmira,my family did all it's shopping while in Eugene because of better prices. Sounds as if she was ready to try something new,and trashing Walmart got her some attention and on the news. Generally speaking,Walmart is destructive to most small cities,however I can't see that being the case with CG because Eugene/Springfield is 15 minutes north and there was never many shopping options to begin with.
I have delt with this company and the real reason she is going out of business is her prices are higher then other feed stores locally and she is not a pleasant person to deal with. She is snippy and rude most of the time. The only reason she lasted as long as she did was the fact of her location right down town.
Post hoc ergo propter hoc, "after this, therefore because of this" Since walmart is a large store they must be killing small bussinesses. Still, the owner cited numerous other reasons that her bussiness was suffereing. One might also look to the level of unemployment and the need to spend disposable income on necessitys rather than litttle santas. Look to those you have chosen to Govern and cast your lot with before you complain. Many of you have chosen the downturn and yes, it affects small business. Tell Mary there are plenty of antiques, the American way of life topping that list.
According to their website, Farmhand sold " pet feed, livestock grain, hay, farm supplies, plants, garden supplies, and unique gifts." for the last 12 years. Walmart's website says they sell ", a photo center and pharmacy â a full-service grocery department. Customers will find fresh and locally grown fruits and vegetables, a bakery, deli, new products and merchandise, an outdoor garden center" and have been around for 15 years. Other than the plants and garden supplies, it doesn't seem to me that Walmart was the problem...